Contour At The Movies

My awesome friends at The Writers Store are throwing me a party, and everyone’s invited. It’s to celebrate the launch of my book “My Story Can Beat Up Your Story!”. Here are the particulars:

WHAT: The Official My Story Can Beat Up Your Story! Book Launch and Shmooze
DATE: Wednesday, May 4, 2011
TIME: 7:00pm to 9:30pm
PLACE: The Writers Store — 3510 West Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
RSVP: CLICK HERE

During the first hour of the event I’ll be speaking on one of my favorite topics: “The Care and Feeding of Your Writing Career.” Being a skilled writer might get you a sale or two but it doesn’t guarantee you a thriving career year in and year out. In that first hour I’ll talk about the different techniques to not just becoming a working writer, but staying a working writer.

After this there will be time for Q&A, the aforementioned shmooze, prizes (yes!), and the signing of books. Maybe even mine. If you’ve already purchased a copy, bring it along.  (BTW, if you have read the book and liked it, posting a positive review on Amazon would be seriously and greatly appreciated!)

There will be light refreshments and it should be great fun, not to mention a good way to meet some likeminded people and get that networking thing going that I harp about in Chapter 10.

Please RSVP to The Writers Store HERE so they can prepare for the right number of people. And if you haven’t had a chance to check out my article “My Story Can Beat Up Your Story: The Missing Chapter” you can READ IT HERE.

I look forwarding to seeing you on the 4th of May!

– Jeffrey Alan Schechter

My book My Story Can Beat Up Your Story! is officially for sale on Amazon.  I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am, as well as grateful beyond measure to everyone for their support and encouragement during the writing and editing process.

Favor time:  I’m told by my erstwhile publisher that the key to success for books on Amazon is positive reviews.  If you would, please check out the “Look Inside” feature of the book on Amazon, and/or read a sample chapter HERE.   If like what you see (even just a little bit) please post a positive review on Amazon.  The magic number of reviews is 100, so every review helps.

As always, thanks everyone for sticking with me on this adventure.

– Jeffrey Alan Schechter

I got a nice surprise from Michael Wiese and Ken Lee of Michael Wiese Productions before the weekend: the cover of my book!  Ladies I gentlemen, I present the world premiere of “My Story Can Beat Up Your Story!”  Or at least, the cover.

The book will be published in April, 2011.  I’m sure I’ll be talking about it alot more when we get closer to that date.

A LOT more!

– Jeffrey Alan Schechter

P.S.  And a big shout out to my buddy Alvaro Rodriguez for coming up with the subtitle (which is a bit hard to read in the picture): “Ten Ways To Toughen Up Your Screenplay From Opening Hook To Knockout Punch.”

“My Story Can Beat Up Your Story!”, the book, is finally finished and delivered to the good guys over at Michael Wiese Publishing.  Early word is very encouraging.

I’m insanely proud of this book and I think people are going to be jazzed by the information in it.  It takes much of what I talk about on this site and in Contour and kicks it up to a higher level.  Much higher.  It includes chapters on theme, building a cast of characters that helps drive your story, designing the perfect Villain for your Hero (and vice versa), and it even includes an extensive business plan for launching a writing career.

The book is scheduled for publication in Spring, 2011.  A year off?!  I wish it could come out sooner.  Maybe if the publisher permits, as we get closer I’ll be able to sneak peek some chapters.

I’d like to thank all of you for the encouragement and kind words over the years, and I really can’t wait to hear what people think once the book is published.

The journey continues…

– Jeffrey Alan Schechter